Pipe ring apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus according to which the apparatus includes a pair of connected arcuate members for clamping around a pipe, with each arcuate member including at least one protrusion. The arcuate members have a first material hardness and at least a portion of the at least one protrusion has a second material hardness that is greater than the first material hardness so that the portion penetratingly engages the pipe when the arcuate members are clamped around the pipe.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/971,407, filed on Oct. 22, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,076.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to an apparatus forinstallation on a pipe and in particular to an apparatus employed in therestraint of connected pipes to prevent the separation thereof.

A conventional connection that joins two adjacent pipes in afluid-transporting pipeline system is sometimes subjected to internalhydrostatic pressure and/or other external and/or internal forces thattend to deflect or separate one pipe from the other. To combat thisseparation, a pipe-restraining assembly may be installed across theconnection between the two pipes to penetratingly engage and maintainthe pipes in a fixed position relative to each other.

However, a typical pipe-restraining assembly may not be suitable for alltypes of pipe materials. That is, the ability of the pipe-restrainingassembly to penetratingly engage and restrain a pipe is dependent uponthe pipe surface having a material hardness that is relatively low.Thus, the pipe-restraining assembly may not be able to prevent the axialseparation of pipes having relatively high material hardness levels.

Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus for installation on a pipe andan accompanying method that, among other things, may be used to overcomethe above-described problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe-restraining assembly according toan embodiment of the present invention and clamped around connectedpipes.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pipe-restraining assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of thepipe-restraining assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the pipe-restraining assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another elevation view of the pipe-restraining assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective/partial section view of a component of apipe-restraining assembly according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a pipe-restraining assembly according to anembodiment of the present invention is generally referred to by thereference numeral 10 and is designed to be installed on connected pipes12 and 14. The pipe 14 includes a bell 14 a which receives aconventional spigot extending from the pipe 12 (spigot not shown). Thepipes 12 and 14 are sealingly engaged in any conventional manner, andmay be made of any conventional pipe material such as, for example,polyvinylchloride (PVC) or ductile iron.

The assembly 10 includes two spaced pairs of arcuate members 16 a and 16b, and 18 a and 18 b. Each pair of arcuate members 16 a and 16 b, and 18a and 18 b, forms a ring that envelops portions of and clamps around thepipes 12 and 14, respectively.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-2,opposing flange members or ears 20 a and 20 b extend outward from eachend of the arcuate member 16 a. Each ear 20 a and 20 b includes achamfer 22 a and 22 b and a horizontal surface 24 a and 24 b,respectively. Openings or bores 26 a and 26 b are formed through theears 20 a and 20 b, respectively. Lugs 28 a and 28 b extend from thearcuate member 16 a and are positioned so that the spacing between theear 20 a and the lug 28 a, and the spacing between the ear 20 b and thelug 28 b, are equal along the curved length of the arcuate member. Eachlug 28 a and 28 b defines a through-opening or bore 28 a′ and 28 b′,respectively.

The arcuate member 16 a defines a curved surface 30, with the opposingends of the curved surface 30 terminating at the chamfers 22 a and 22 b.A plurality of protrusions or ridges 32 a, 32 b, 32 c and 32 d extendradially inward from the curved surface 30 so that the distal ends ofthe ridges 32 a-32 d are radially offset from the curved surface 30. Theridges 32 a-32 d also extend along the length of the curved surface 30.The curved surface 30, and the ridges 32 a-32 d, include opposingportions 34 a and 34 b which are substantially defined by andsubstantially extend from the ears 20 a and 20 b, and to the lugs 28 aand 28 b, respectively. At least some of the material in each of theportions 34 a and 34 b has a material hardness that is higher than theremainder of the arcuate member 16 a, including the remainder of thecurved surface 30 and the ridges 32 a-32 d. It is understood that theportions 34 a and 34 b may be caused to have a material hardness that ishigher than the remainder of the arcuate member 16 a by performing amaterial-hardening process of such portion such as, for example, aconventional heat treating process.

The arcuate members 16 b, 18 a and 18 b are identical to the arcuatemember 16 a and thus will not be described in detail. Parts of thearcuate members 16 b, 18 a and 18 b corresponding to identical parts ofthe arcuate member 16 a are given the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3, bolts 36a and 36 b extend through the vertically-aligned bores 26 a and 26 b ofeach arcuate member 16 a and 16 b. Nuts 38 a and 38 b are threadablyengaged with the bolts 36 a and 36 b, respectively, and contact the ears20 a and 20 b, respectively, thereby connecting the arcuate members 16 aand 16 b and clamping the members around the pipe 12. The surface 24 aof each arcuate member 16 a and 16 b contacts the corresponding surface24 a of the other arcuate member, and the surface 24 b of each arcuatemember contacts the corresponding surface 24 b of the other arcuatemember. The ridges 32 a-32 d of each arcuate member 16 a and 16 bpenetratingly engage the pipe 12.

Likewise, bolts 40 a and 40 b extend through the vertically-alignedbores 26 a and 26 b of the arcuate members 18 a and 18 b, respectively,and are threadably engaged with nuts 42 a and 42 b, respectively. Thesethreaded engagements connect the arcuate members 18 a and 18 b and clampthe members around the pipe 14. The surface 24 a of each arcuate member18 a and 18 b almost contacts or contacts the corresponding surface 24 aof the other arcuate member, and the surface 24 b of each arcuate memberalmost contacts or contacts the corresponding surface 24 b of the otherarcuate member. The ridges 32 a-32 d of each arcuate member 18 a and 18b penetratingly engage the pipe 14.

A tie rod 43 extends through each aligned bore 28 a′ of the arcuatemembers 16 b and 18 b so that the tie rod is in a parallel relation withthe coaxial longitudinal axes of the pipes 12 and 14. Nuts 44 a and 44 bare threadably engaged with the distal and proximal ends of the tie rod43, respectively, thereby connecting the arcuate members 16 a and 16 bwith the arcuate members 18 a and 18 b. In an identical manner, a tierod 46 extends through each aligned bore 28 b′ of the arcuate members 16b and 18 b, and nuts 48 a and 48 b are threadably engaged with thedistal and proximal ends of the tie rod, respectively. Similarly, tierods 50 and 52 extend through each aligned bore 28 a′ and 28 b′,respectively, of the arcuate members 16 a and 18 a (tie rod 52 shown inFIG. 5). Nuts 54 a and 54 b are threadably engaged with the distal andproximal ends of the tied rod 50, respectively, and nuts 56 a and 56 bare threadably engaged with the distal and proximal ends of the tied rod52, respectively (nut 56 b not shown).

In operation, with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-5, the pipes 12 and14 form a fluid-transporting pipeline so that the pipes are subject tointernal hydrostatic pressure. This internal pressure, along with anyexternal forces present due to system-level or environmental conditions,results in forces being applied to the connection between the spigot ofthe pipe 12 and the bell 14 a of the pipe 14 which, in turn, urge thepipes 12 and 14 to axially separate or pull apart from each other.

However, pipe-restraining assembly 10 restrains or prevents the pipe 12from appreciably moving axially relative to, or separating from, thepipe 14, and vice versa. The penetrating engagement of the ridges 32a-32 d of the arcuate members 16 a and 16 b into the pipe 12 preventsthe arcuate members from moving axially relative to the pipe 12.Likewise, the penetrating engagement of the ridges 32 a-32 d of thearcuate members 18 a and 18 b into the pipe 14 prevents the arcuatemembers from moving axially relative to the pipe 14. Further, theclamping forces generated by the threaded engagements of the tie rods43, 46, 50 and 52 with the nuts 44 a and 44 b, 48 a and 48 b, 54 a and54 b, and 56 a and 56 b, respectively, and applied to the correspondinglugs 28 a and 28 b, prevents the arcuate members 16 a and 16 b frommoving axially relative to the arcuate members 18 a and 18 b, and viceversa. Since the arcuate members 16 a and 16 b, and 18 a and 18 b, areprevented from moving relative to the pipes 12 and 14, respectively, andfrom moving relative to each other, the pipes 12 and 14 are thereforeprevented from appreciably moving relative to and/or axially separatingfrom one another.

The sections of the ridges 32 a-32 d located in the portions 34 a and 34b of the arcuate members 16 a and 16 b penetratingly engage the pipe 12to a greater degree than the sections of the ridges 32 a-32 d that arelocated outside of the portions 34 a and 34 b. The aforementioned heattreatment of the portions 34 a and 34 b and the corresponding increasein hardness promotes the increased penetration of the ridges 32 a-32 dinto the pipe 12 at the portions. Also, the inwardly-directed radialforces exerted on the pipe 12 by the arcuate members 16 a and 16 b arerelatively higher at the portions 34 a and 34 b due to the portions'proximity to the clamping forces generated by the threaded engagement ofthe bolts 36 a and 36 b with the nuts 38 a and 38 b, respectively, andapplied to the ears 20 a and 20 b, respectively, thereby furtherpromoting the increased penetration of the ridges 32 a-32 d into thepipe at the portions.

In a like manner, the sections of the ridges 32 a-32 d located in theportions 34 a and 34 b of the arcuate members 18 a and 18 bpenetratingly engage the pipe 14 to a greater degree than the sectionsof the ridges 32 a-32 d that are located outside of the portions 34 aand 34 b. Thus, the increased penetration of the ridges 32 a-32 d at theportions 34 a and 34 b further prevents the arcuate members 16 a and 16b, and 18 a and 18 b, from moving relative to the pipes 12 and 14,respectively, thereby further inhibiting any axial separation of thepipes.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of a pipe-restraining assemblyis generally referred to by the reference numeral 58. The embodimentshown in FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 andcontains several parts of the embodiment which are given the samereference numerals. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a recess 60 is formedin the curved surface 30 and the surface defined by the chamfer 22 b sothat the recess is adjacent the horizontal surface 24 b. A plate orinsert 62 is disposed in the recess 60 and connected to the arcuatemember 16 a. A pair of protrusions or ridges 64 a and 64 b extendradially inward from the insert 62 so that the distal ends of the ridges64 a and 64 b are radially offset from the curved surface 30. The ridges64 a and 64 b also extend along the length of the insert 62, therebysubstantially extending along a section of the length of the curvedsurface 30. The arcuate member 16 a has a substantially uniform materialhardness. The insert 62 and the ridges 64 a and 64 b have a materialhardness that is higher than the material hardness of the arcuate member16 a.

In a like manner, inserts identical to the insert 62 are disposed inrecesses formed in the opposing end of the arcuate member 16 a, and inthe opposing ends of the arcuate members 16 b, 18 a and 18 b. It isunderstood that, with the exception of the foregoing, thepipe-restraining assembly 58 is identical to the pipe-restrainingassembly 10 and therefore will not be further described.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIGS.1-5, except that the ridges 64 a and 64 b extending from the insert 62,and the ridges extending from the other inserts connected to the arcuatemembers 16 a, 16 b, 18 a and 18 b, penetratingly engage the pipes 12 and14 to a greater degree than the ridges 32 a-32 d extending from thecurved surfaces 30 of the arcuate members.

Variations

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. For example, only one pairof arcuate members 16 a and 16 b, or 18 a and 18 b, may include theridges 32 a-32 d.

Further, instead of connecting the pair of arcuate members 16 a and 16 bto another pair of identical arcuate members such as the arcuate members18 a and 18 b, the pair of arcuate members 16 a and 16 b could beconnected to the restrained sleeve pipe coupling and/or one or more ofthe corresponding end rings disclosed in patent application Ser. No.10/170,477, filed on Jun. 12, 2002, now abandoned, which application waspublished on Dec. 18, 2003 as U.S. patent application publication number2003/0230897 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

Still further, the pair of arcuate members 16 a and 16 b could beemployed in conjunction with a conventional flanged connection between apipe having a flange and a pipe having a plain end. The arcuate members16 a and 16 b could be clamped together around the pipe having the plainend in a manner described above, and the tie rods 43, 46, 50 and 52could extend from the arcuate members 16 a and 16 b and through boresformed in the flange. The nuts 44 b, 48 b, 54 b and 56 b could then bethreadably engaged with the tie rods 43, 46, 50 and 52, respectively, toapply clamping forces to the flange and promote a flanged connectionthat is more resistive to any forces tending to separate the pipes. Itis understood that the flanged connection may be between straight pipesections, curved pipe sections, etc. or any combination thereof.

In view of the foregoing, it is understood that the pair of arcuatemembers 16 a and 16 b, or 18 a and 18 b, may be clamped around any pipein any type of application where it is desired to form a ring around thepipe and maintain the as-installed position of the arcuate membersrelative to the pipe, notwithstanding the subsequent subjection of theinstalled arcuate members, or ring, to various static and/or dynamicloads in various directions.

Additional variations include the following:

-   -   1. The quantity and spacing of the lugs 28 a and 28 b and any        corresponding tie rods may be varied.    -   2. The pipes 12 and 14 may be made of other material such as,        for example, high-density polyethylene. It is understood that        the pipes 12 and 14 may be made of many different types of        materials having widely varying material hardness levels.    -   3. In addition to the employment of ears, bolts and nuts, the        arcuate members 16 a and 16 b, and 18 a and 18 b, may be        connected using other conventional fastening means such as, for        example, with clamps.    -   4. The number of ridges extending from the curved surface 30 and        the insert 62 may be varied. Further, the size, shape, location,        spacing and cross-sectional profile of the ridges 32 a-32 d and        64 a-64 b may be varied. For example, the ridges 32 a-32 d and        64 a-64 b may have rectangular, triangular or arcuate        cross-sections, or any combination thereof.    -   5. For the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the locations and size of        the portions 34 a and 34 b may be varied, and the quantity of        the portions may be varied. For the embodiment of FIG. 6, the        quantity, locations and size of the inserts 62 may be varied.    -   6. In addition to the above-described spigot-and-bell and        flanged connections, the pipe-restraining assembly 10 and/or 58        and/or any variation thereof may be used with other types of        pipe connections.    -   7. The cross-sectional profiles and the locations of the arcuate        members 16 a, 16 b, 18 a and 18 b relative to the connection        between the pipes 12 and 14 may be varied.    -   8. In addition to tie rods, other fastening means may be        employed to connect the pair of arcuate members 16 a and 16 b to        the pair of arcuate members 18 a and 18 b such as, for example,        cables and turnbuckles, bolts, etc. or any combination thereof.    -   9. The lengths of the tie rods 43, 46, 50 and 52 and the bolts        36 a, 36 b, 40 a and 40 b may be varied.    -   10. For the embodiment of FIG. 6, different portions of the        arcuate members 16 a, 16 b, 18 a and 18 b may have different        material hardness levels, instead of the arcuate members having        a substantially uniform hardness level.    -   11. For the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 and FIG. 6, different        portions of the curved surfaces 30, and the balance of the        arcuate members 16 a, 16 b, 18 a and 18 b, may have differing        material hardness levels. For example, there may be three or        more material hardness levels in a single arcuate member in        either embodiment.    -   12. The pipe-restraining assemblies 10 and 58 may be combined so        that one pair of arcuate members employs the inserts 62 while        the other pair of arcuate members does not.    -   13. Additional pairs of arcuate members may be clamped around        the same or additional pipes. These additional pairs may be        connected to the arcuate members 16 a and 16 b and/or 18 a and        18 b.    -   14. The arcuate members 16 a and 16 b may be modified so that        the surfaces 24 a and 24 b of each arcuate member 16 a and 16 b        do not contact the corresponding surfaces 24 a and 24 b,        respectively, of the other arcuate member. The arcuate members        18 a and 18 b may also be modified in this manner.    -   15. Any foregoing spatial references, such as “upper,” “lower,”        “above,” “below,” “between,” “vertical,” “angular,” etc., are        for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the        specific orientation or location of the structure described        above.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have beendescribed in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many other modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses areintended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents, but alsoequivalent structures.

1. Apparatus comprising: first and second removably connectable arcuatemembers for clamping around a pipe, each arcuate member comprising:opposing flange members, each flange member comprising an opening formedtherethrough and a surface; a curved surface including first and secondopposing ends; a recess formed in the curved surface and adjacent thesurface of one of the flange members; a ridge extending at leastpartially along the length of and radially inward from the curvedsurface and having a distal end that is radially offset from the curvedsurface, wherein one end of the ridge is adjacent the recess; a platedisposed in the recess; and a protrusion extending along the length ofand substantially radially inward from the plate and having a distal endthat is radially offset from the curved surface; and a pair of fastenersfor removably connecting the arcuate members; wherein each ridge has afirst material hardness; wherein each protrusion has a second materialhardness; wherein the second material hardness is greater than the firstmaterial hardness; and wherein, when the arcuate members are removablyconnected to each other and clamped around the pipe: the arcuate membersform a ring that envelops a portion of the pipe, the openings of theflange members of the first arcuate member are vertically aligned withrespective openings of the flange members of the second arcuate member,the fasteners respectively extend through the vertically-alignedopenings of the flange members of the first and second arcuate members,the surfaces of the flange members of the first arcuate member almostcontact or contact respective surfaces of the flange members of thesecond arcuate member, the ridge of each arcuate member penetratinglyengages the pipe, and the protrusion of each plate penetratingly engagesthe pipe to a greater degree than the ridge of the corresponding arcuatemember.